WILLARD E. SMITH, 59; EX-NAZARETH GROCER

Willard E. Smith, 59, of 299 N. Liberty St., Nazareth, a former Nazareth grocer and merchant, died Monday in McKean County while doe hunting.

The McKean County coroner attributed death to natural causes.

Smith was the husband of Jean (Hoch) Stewart Smith, Nazareth borough secretary, and the late Ruby June (Hough) Smith.

He was a utility man for the Metropolitan-Edison Co. in its Stroudsburg office for the past 20 years. He previously owned and operated the Smith grocery store on S. Main Street, Nazareth, now Ressler's Market, and owned and operated with his first wife the former Tots and Teens clothing store in Nazareth.

He also had been employed by the Brooks Doyle Electrical Contracting Co., Nazareth, after being discharged from the Navy, in which he served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.

Born in Nazareth, he was a son of the late Earl and Daisy (Werkheiser) Smith.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Nazareth.

Smith was president of the Rock Ridge Hunting Club, McKean County, and was a former little league baseball and football coach.

Surviving with his widow are a son Scott of Neola, Monroe County, and a grandson.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Schmidt Mortuary, 407 Belvidere St., Nazareth. Calling hours will begin at noon Friday.